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With extraordinary expansion in the CA medical industry, the demand has reached an all-time high for accredited LVN schools in California and for those thinking about becoming a Licensed Vocational Nurses in California. Vocational nursing is benefiting from a period of record expansion and is supposed to create several thousand brand-new employment opportunities in the coming years in the medical field.

Find California Vocational Nursing Programs Below

How to become a LVN in California

Becoming eligible to work as a Licensed Vocational Nurse in California requires you to finish an LVN training program recognized by the California Board of Vocational Nursing and Pyschiatric Technicians (BVNPT) and when that happens, you will be on your way to getting licensed for employment by the BVNPT.

What is the process for getting licensed as a LVN in California?

The process for becoming an LVN in California can be summarized in the following 5 steps.

Step 1 – Satisfy the standard admission requirements for Licensed Vocational Nurse training

Make sure you are able to satisfy the basic admission requirements for vocational nursing courses across the state of California. Each school may have different admission demands, so be aware of the differences.

Step 2 – Decide on the type of credential you want to acquire

The second decision you will need to make is whether your goal is to earn a an associate degree or a certificate. If you would like to know more about each option for your LVN credential, see the article here for more details.

Step 3 – Sign up for a BVNPT-approved Licensed Vocational Nurse program

Licensed Vocational Nurse training in California is managed by the Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians (BVNPT). Follow the guidelines listed above and you will be on the right track to becoming a working licensed vocational nurse in CA.

LVN schools in California

Below is the complete list of LVN programs in the State of California approved by the Board of Vocational Nursing & Psychiatric Technicians.

Annenberg School of Nursing 19300 Sherman Way Reseda CA 91335-5426 818-757-4431 Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants, Other
California Nurses Educational Institute 5200 E. Ramon Rd. Suite I-1 Palm Springs CA 92264 760-416-5955 Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse Training
Xavier College School of Nursing 1340 North El Dorado Street Stockton CA 95202-1017 209-941-0968 Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse Training
Shepherd University 3200 North San Fernando Road Los Angeles CA 90065 323-550-8888-8102 Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse Training
Colton-Redlands-Yucaipa Regional Occupational Program 1214 Indiana Ct Redlands CA 92374 909-793-3115 Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse Training
Santa Barbara Business College-Bakersfield 5300 California Avenue Bakersfield CA 93309 661-835-1100 Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse Training
Marian Health Careers Center-Los Angeles Campus 3325 Wilshire Blvd Ste 1010 Los Angeles CA 90010 213-388-3566 Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse Training
Southwestern College 900 Otay Lakes Rd Chula Vista CA 91910-7299 619-421-6700 Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse Training
Stanbridge University 2041 Business Ctr Dr Ste 107 Irvine CA 92612 949-794-9090-5104 Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse Training
Palo Verde College One College Drive Blythe CA 92225 760-921-5500 Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse Training
Hartnell College 411 Central Avenue Salinas CA 93901 831-755-6700 Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse Training
American Career College-Los Angeles 4021 Rosewood Avenue Los Angeles CA 90004 949-783-4800 Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse Training
American Career College-Ontario 3130 East Sedona Court Ontario CA 91764 949-783-4800 Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse Training
Baldy View Regional Occupational Program 1501 Bon View Avenue Ontario CA 91764-5500 909-980-6490 Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse Training
WestMed College 3031 Tisch Way 100 PE San Jose CA 95128-0000 209-386-6300 Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse Training
North-West College-Glendale 221 North Brand Glendale CA 91203 818-242-0205 Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants, Other
Mt San Jacinto Community College District 1499 N. State St. San Jacinto CA 92583-2399 951-487-6752 Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse Training
San Joaquin Valley College-Visalia 8344 W Mineral King Ave Visalia CA 93291-9283 559-734-9000 Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse Training
Merritt College 12500 Campus Dr Oakland CA 94619-3196 510-531-4911 Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse Training
College of the Desert 43-500 Monterey Ave Palm Desert CA 92260 760-346-8041 Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse Training
Homestead Schools 23800 Hawthorne Blvd. Ste 200 Torrance CA 90505 310-791-9975 Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse Training
Ukiah Adult School 1056 North Bush Street Ukiah CA 95482-3865 707-463-5217 Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants, Other
MiraCosta College One Barnard Drive Oceanside CA 92056-3899 760-757-2121 Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse Training
Charles A Jones Career and Education Center 5451 Lemon Hill Ave Sacramento CA 95824-1529 916-433-2600-1000 Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse Training
Carrington College-Pleasant Hill 380 Civic Dr., Ste. 300 Pleasant Hill CA 94523 925-609-6650 Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse Training
National University 11255 North Torrey Pines Road La Jolla CA 92037-1011 800-628-8648 Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse Training
Concorde Career College-North Hollywood 12412 Victory Boulevard North Hollywood CA 91606-3134 818-766-8151 Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants, Other
Glendale Career College 240 North Brand Boulevard Lower Level Glendale CA 91203 818-243-1131-201 Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants, Other
California Career Institute 12141 Brookhurst Street Garden Grove CA 92840-2816 714-539-5959 Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse Training
CES College 401 S. Glenoaks Blvd. Suite 211 Burbank CA 91502-2750 818-563-9822-116 Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse Training
Yuba College 2088 N Beale Rd Marysville CA 95901 530-741-6700 Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse Training
Imperial Valley College 380 E. Aten Road Imperial CA 92251-0158 760-352-8320 Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse Training
Santa Barbara City College 721 Cliff Drive Santa Barbara CA 93109-2394 805-965-0581 Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse Training
Angeles College 3440 Wilshire Blvd Ste 310 Los Angeles CA 90010 213-487-2211 Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse Training
InterCoast Colleges-Fairfield 2480 Hilborn Road Suite 100 Fairfield CA 94534-6085 707-421-9700 Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants, Other
Feather River Community College District 570 Golden Eagle Ave Quincy CA 95971-9124 530-283-0202 Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse Training
Advanced College-Stockton 8838 North West Lane Stockton CA 95120-3145 209-490-4591 Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants, Other
Platt College-Anaheim 1551 South Douglass Road Anaheim CA 92806-5949 714-333-9606 Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse Training
Sacramento City College 3835 Freeport Blvd Sacramento CA 95822-1386 916-558-2111 Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse Training
Gavilan College 5055 Santa Teresa Blvd Gilroy CA 95020 408-848-4800 Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse Training
Platt College-Ontario 3700 Inland Empire Boulevard, Ste 400 Ontario CA 91764 909-941-9410 Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse Training
Merced College 3600 M St Merced CA 95348-2898 209-384-6000 Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse Training
Bakersfield College 1801 Panorama Dr Bakersfield CA 93305-1299 661-395-4011 Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse Training
California Career College 7003 Owensmouth Avenue Canoga Park CA 91303-2006 818-710-1310 Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse Training
Unitek College 4670 Auto Mall Pkwy Fremont CA 94538 510-249-1060 Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse Training
Trinity School of Health and Allied Sciences 1149 W. 190th St. Suite 2000 Torrance CA 90248 310-834-3065 Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants, Other
North-West College-Santa Ana 1840 E. 17th Street Santa Ana CA 92705-8680 714-550-8000 Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants, Other
Unitek College 21615 Hesperian Boulevard Hayward CA 94541-7026 650-871-0701-112 Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse Training
Pacific College 3160 Red Hill Ave Costa Mesa CA 92626 714-662-4402 Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse Training
Santa Rosa Junior College 1501 Mendocino Avenue Santa Rosa CA 95401-4395 707-527-4011 Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse Training
Institute of Technology 564 W Herndon Clovis CA 93612 559-297-4500 Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants, Other
Unitek College 257 Longford Drive, Rm 5 South San Francisco CA 94080-1005 650-871-0701-112 Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse Training
Beaumont Adult School 1575 Cherry Ave Beaumont CA 92223 951-845-6012-4 Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse Training
Riverside City College 4800 Magnolia Avenue Riverside CA 92506 951-222-8000-8979 Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse Training
University of Antelope Valley 44055 Sierra Highway Lancaster CA 93534 661-726-1911-125 Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse Training
Career Development Institute Inc 1830 S Robertson Blvd Los Angeles CA 90035 310-559-0225 Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse Training
Advanced College 13180 Paramount Blvd. South Gate CA 90280 562-408-6969 Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse Training
San Diego City College 1313 Park Boulevard San Diego CA 92101-4787 619-388-3400 Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse Training
Angeles Institute 17100 PIONEER BLVD, SUITE 170 Artesia CA 90701-2713 562-531-4100 Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse Training
Reedley College 995 N Reed Ave Reedley CA 93654 559-638-0300 Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse Training
Career Care Institute 43770 Fifteenth Street West Ste 115 Lancaster CA 93534 661-942-6204 Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse Training
Platt College-Los Angeles 1000 South Fremont Avenue, A10 Alhambra CA 91803 626-300-5444 Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse Training
City College of San Francisco 50 Phelan Ave San Francisco CA 94112-1898 415-239-3000 Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse Training
Hacienda La Puente Adult Education 14101 E. Nelson Ave La Puente CA 91746-0002 626-934-2801 Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse Training
National Career College 14355 Roscoe Blvd Panorama City CA 91402 818-988-2300 Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse Training
Porterville College 100 E College Ave Porterville CA 93257 559-791-2200 Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse Training
Casa Loma College-Van Nuys 6725 Kester Ave Van Nuys CA 91405 818-785-2726 Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse Training
Concorde Career College-San Diego 4393 Imperial Avenue, Suite 100 San Diego CA 92113-1964 619-688-0800 Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants, Other
Shasta College 11555 Old Oregon Trail Redding CA 96003 530-242-7500 Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse Training
Mission College 3000 Mission College Blvd Santa Clara CA 95054-1897 408-988-2200 Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse Training
Napa Valley College 2277 Napa-Vallejo Hwy Napa CA 94558-6236 707-256-7000 Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse Training
American Career College-Lynwood 3680 E. Imperial Highway, 5th Floor Lynwood CA 90262 949-783-4800 Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse Training
Holy Names University 3500 Mountain Blvd Oakland CA 94619-1699 510-436-1000 Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants, Other
American Medical Sciences Center 225 West Broadway, Suite 115 Glendale CA 91204-5108 818-240-6900-100 Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse Training
Carrington College-San Jose 5883 Rue Ferrari, Ste. 125 San Jose CA 95138 408-960-0161 Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse Training
Saddleback College 28000 Marguerite Pky Mission Viejo CA 92692-3635 949-582-4500 Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse Training
North-West College-Riverside 4550 La Sierra Ave Riverside CA 92503 951-351-7750 Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse Training
Platt College-Riverside 6465 Sycamore Canyon Blvd Ste 100 Riverside CA 92507 951-572-4300 Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse Training
Allan Hancock College 800 South College Drive Santa Maria CA 93454-6399 805-922-6966 Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse Training
Long Beach City College 4901 E. Carson St. Long Beach CA 90808-1706 562-938-4111 Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse Training
American Career College-Anaheim 1200 N. Magnolia Ave. Anaheim CA 92801-0000 949-783-4800 Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse Training
Clovis Adult Education 1452 David E Cook Way Clovis CA 93611 559-327-2800 Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse Training
San Joaquin Delta College 5151 Pacific Ave Stockton CA 95207 209-954-5151 Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse Training
Premiere Career College 12901 Ramona Blvd Irwindale CA 91706-3746 626-814-2080 Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants, Other
Healthcare Career College 8527 Alondra Blvd, #174 Paramount CA 90723-5258 562-804-1239 Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse Training
Concorde Career College-Garden Grove 12951 Euclid Street, Suite 101 Garden Grove CA 92840-9201 714-703-1900 Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants, Other
Chaffey College 5885 Haven Ave Rancho Cucamonga CA 91737-3002 909-652-6000 Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse Training
Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts 2121 S El Camino Real Bldg C 200 San Mateo CA 94403 650-685-6616 Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse Training
Cerro Coso Community College 3000 College Heights Blvd Ridgecrest CA 93555-9571 760-384-6100 Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse Training
North-West College-Long Beach 3799 E. Burnett Street Long Beach CA 90815-1770 562-498-4500 Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants, Other
North-West College-Pasadena 530 E Union Pasadena CA 91101 626-796-5815 Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants, Other
Marian Health Careers Center-Van Nuys Campus 5900 Sepulveda Blvd Ste 101 Van Nuys CA 91411 818-782-6163 Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse Training
Pasadena City College 1570 E Colorado Blvd. Pasadena CA 91106-2003 626-585-7123 Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse Training
North-West College-Pomona 170 W Holt Ave Pomona CA 91768 909-623-1552 Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants, Other
Summit College 851 S. Cooley Dr Colton CA 92324 909-422-8950-3270 Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants, Other
Integrity College of Health 1460 N Lake Ave Suite 102 Pasadena CA 91104 626-808-0215 Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants, Other
Cuesta College Highway 1 San Luis Obispo CA 93403-8106 805-546-3100 Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse Training
Downey Adult School 12340 Woodruff Ave Downey CA 90241 562-940-6200 Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse Training
Butte College 3536 Butte Campus Drive Oroville CA 95965-8399 530-895-2511 Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse Training
Rio Hondo College 3600 Workman Mill Rd Whittier CA 90601-1616 562-692-0921 Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse Training
Copper Mountain Community College 6162 Rotary Way Joshua Tree CA 92252 760-366-3791 Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse Training
North-West College-West Covina 2121 W Garvey Ave West Covina CA 91790 626-960-5046 Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants, Other
Blake Austin College 611 Orange Dr Ste K Vacaville CA 95687 707-455-0557 Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse Training
Antelope Valley College 3041 West Ave K Lancaster CA 93536-5426 661-722-6300 Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse Training
Los Medanos College 2700 East Leland Road Pittsburg CA 94565 925-439-2181 Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse Training
Citrus College 1000 W Foothill Blvd Glendora CA 91741-1899 626-963-0323 Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse Training
College of the Siskiyous 800 College Ave Weed CA 96094-2899 530-938-5555 Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse Training
Carrington College-Sacramento 8909 Folsom Blvd. Sacramento CA 95826 916-361-1660 Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse Training
Concorde Career College-San Bernardino 201 East Airport Drive, Suite A San Bernardino CA 92408-3403 909-884-8891 Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants, Other
Santa Barbara Business College-Santa Maria 303 E Plaza Dr Ste 1 Santa Maria CA 93454 805-922-8256 Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse Training
Career Networks Institute 702 W Town and Country Rd Orange CA 92868-4710 714-437-9697 Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse Training
High Desert Medical College 701 West Avenue K, Suite 123 Lancaster CA 93534-1134 661-940-9300 Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse Training
College of the Redwoods 7351 Tompkins Hill Rd Eureka CA 95501-9300 707-476-4100 Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse Training

Step 4 – Take the NCLEX-PN assessment

The state LVN exam given in California is the NCLEX-PN. The assessment is made up of segments on each significant area of knowledge you would have covered in your CA LVN program.

Click here for more details about the NCLEX-PN. We cover everything from tips to prepare for the test, what to before before and after the test and much more!

Step 5 – Pass the NCLEX-PN and Start Your LVN Career in CA!

To get going on your career path in California as a licensed vocational nurse all you have to next is pass the NCLEX-PN and be on your way!

Vocational Nurse salary in California

In California, the need is very high for practical nurses and through the year 2024, the Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 21% increase in additional job opportunities for practical nurses in California. Below is a listing of the largest metropolitan areas in California and more data on Practical Nursing compensation by location and county.

In the table below and school listings above you will see information about LVN salary and LVN training in the largest cities in California like Sacramento, Los Angeles, San Diego, San Jose, Oakland, San Francisco, Fresno, Long Beach, Bakersfield, Santa Ana, Riverside, Fremont, Santa Clara, Oceanside and more!

LocationPay TypeLowMedianHigh
United StatesHourly$15.63$21.20$29.05
Yearly$32,510$44,090$60,420
ColoradoHourly$17.70$23.05$29.56
Yearly$36,810$47,940$61,490
Boulder, CO MSAHourly$19.17$24.70$29.77
Yearly$39,870$51,370$61,920
Denver-Aurora-Broomfield, CO MSAHourly$20.02$24.63$30.06
Yearly$41,630$51,230$62,520
Northcentral Colorado BOSHourly$18.55$22.95$29.14
Yearly$38,590$47,740$60,620
Fort Collins-Loveland, CO MSAHourly$18.72$22.92$29.72
Yearly$38,930$47,680$61,820
Pueblo, CO MSAHourly$16.42$22.55$29.86
Yearly$34,160$46,900$62,120
Greeley, CO MSAHourly$16.58$22.54$30.46
Yearly$34,480$46,870$63,360
Grand Junction, CO MSAHourly$16.87$22.04$27.78
Yearly$35,100$45,840$57,770
West Colorado BOSHourly$15.32$21.50$26.49
Yearly$31,870$44,720$55,100
Colorado Springs, CO MSAHourly$15.93$20.99$27.08
Yearly$33,140$43,660$56,330
East and South Colorado BOSHourly$15.59$19.95$25.84
Yearly$32,440$41,500$53,750

Recommended Vocational Nurse Training in California